How To Remove A Bee Sting Correctly

Best Method For Minimal Pain & Swelling

Bee stings are never fun to deal with. A honeybee sting can occur when doing something as innocent as walking down the sidewalk. However, honeybees generally do not sting unless they feel
threatened or provoked.

When a honeybee attacks, it will use a barbed stinger that will remain stuck in your skin as it rips from the bees body as it flies away. As a result the bee will die after stinging. But you
still have a stinger lodged in your skin pumping bee venom into your body.

Some people can be allergic to bee venom and have severe reactions, while others have little to no reaction. Severe allergic reactions from bee venom are known as anaphylactic shock.
Symptoms from anaphylactic schock include difficulty breathing, vomiting, swelling similar to hives, increased heart rate speed, and abdominal pain which will eventually lead to unconciousness. Seek
immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur.

Steps To Correctly Remove A Bee Stinger

Step 1

Scrape Stinger Off Immediately

- Using any flat edge (example: fingernail, credit card, etc.) flick the stinger off to prevent squeezing more venom into the wound.
Step 2

Clean The Affected Area

- Use soap and warm water to thoroughly clean the sting to prevent infection.
Step 3

Apply An Ice Pack To Sting

- Put an ice pack on top of the sting for at least 20 minutes to reduce swelling and redness.
Step 4

Continue To Monitor

- Keep a close eye on the sting to ensure that no severe swelling or other reactions occur. Expect some redness. Do not scratch.

The guide to the right illustrates the steps mentioned above as well supplies that contribute to soothing bee stings.

View some of our other resources for bee-related problems on our website. We have anything from videos of us removing a beehive from structures to
properly keeping bees in an urban neighborhood.